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Chelsea are rumoured to be returning to Premier League action next month, so we've taken a look at the matches awaiting Frank Lampard's side.

The Blues must prepare for their final nine matches of the campaign, in which they face a battle to claim Champions League qualification.

A top-five finish should be enough with Manchester City currently suspended from European competition for the next two years.

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Chelsea are currently fourth, five points clear of Wolves in sixth.

And the Blues’ final nine matches include four at Stamford Bridge.

In chronological order, we’ve taken a look at the nine matches Chelsea still have to play...

Aston Villa (A)

Villa are currently 19th in the table and on the brink of relegation. They are one of the clubs to publicly reject the “Project Restart” plans based on games being played at neutral venues. This would be one of the games they lost from Villa Park.

Chelsea will be looking to win and begin their assault on the top four. Dropping points in the first game back against relegation candidates would be worrying.

Manchester City (H)

Chelsea originally had the second leg of their Round of 16 Champions League tie versus Bayern Munich and FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City scheduled after the Villa clash. Both of these will not now be played until later in the summer.

Therefore, in this timeline, they will host Manchester City in their second game back from lockdown. Frank Lampard’s side lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture. A draw would be a good result here.

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West Ham United (A)

Chelsea then “travel” to the London Stadium to face a Hammers team two places outside the relegation zone thanks to goal difference. The Blues will be looking to win here as the race for the top five heats up.

Watford (H)

Another game Chelsea will be expecting to win, and potentially one they need to given their final few matches. However, a home match versus Watford, who sit one place outside the drop zone on goal difference, offers a good chance to stack wins and gain more points.

Crystal Palace (A)

The final “kind” fixture of the Blues’ run-in. Palace are likely to have little to play for. They currently sit 12 points clear of the relegation zone and are pushing for a top-half finish.

However, Palace have a -6 goal difference, suggesting they are overperforming based on their position in the table. Another opportunity for Lampard’s men to pick up points.

Chelsea during the break

Sheffield United (A)

The first of three tough matches in Chelsea’s final four matches. Bramall Lane is a difficult place to play and United have been superb at home this term, conceding just 13 goals in 15 matches.

Whether the match is played at Bramall Lane or a natural venue remains to be seen, but the Blades have Champions League ambitions of their own. They currently sit just five points behind Chelsea, who will struggle to get into the top five if they do not win here.

Norwich City (H)

Chelsea will need to make the most of playing bottom-of-the-table Norwich City at the Bridge. Norwich might be relegated by this stage as they are currently six points from safety, which would aid Chelsea’s cause.

Liverpool (A)

Normally one of the toughest fixtures of the season, but Chelsea could be aided by circumstances. The game will either be played in a neutral stadium or at an Anfield with no fans, and Liverpool are also likely to have won the title by this stage. That could all help Chelsea’s cause, and with just one more game to play, the pressure will be on.

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Wolves (H)

Chelsea close out the season at the Bridge against another club with Champions League ambitions. Wolves are five points behind them in the current table and could be chasing fifth place themselves on the final day.

Wolves have had to deal with the Europa League all season, which is something they will not have to worry about during this period. That could play into their hands when it comes to facing Chelsea, Manchester United and others in the Champions League race.